Method for renewing, resurfacing, and preserving phonograph records

ABSTRACT

A method and composition for initial surface improvement for renewing and/or resurfacing phonograph records by the steps of coating the record with a composition consisting essentially of about two to five parts nonionic acrylic polymer, about two to five parts cationic polyethylene emulsion (25 percent solids in water), about one part nonionic detergent, about two parts diethyl monoethyl ether and about 90 parts water, brushing the composition into the grooves, removing any excess, drying and playing.

United States Patent Castner 51 Mar. 28, 1972 [54] METHOD FOR RENEWING,

RESURFACING, AND PRESERVING PHONOGRAPH RECORDS [72] Inventor: Charles S. Costner, Reading, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Schuyler Development Corporation [22] Filed: Jan. 2, 1969 211 App]. No; 788,653

[52] U.S.Cl. ..117/2, 117/8, 117/47 R, 117/161 UC, 106/36, 260/29.6, 274/47 [51] Int. Cl. ..G11b 3/58 [58] Field ofSearch ..1 17/2, 161 UC,8, 138.8 C, 117/47; 260/296; 274/46; 106/36 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Kelly ..274/46 Somers Roberts et a1 ..274/46 Primary Examiner-Wi11iam D. Martin Assistant ExaminerWilliam R. Trenor Attorney-Buell, Blenko & Ziesenheim [57] ABSTRACT A method and composition for initial surface improvement for renewing and/or resurfacing phonograph records by the steps of coating the record with a composition consistingessentially 2 Claims, No Drawlngs METHOD FOR RENEWING, RESURFACING, AND PRESERVING PHONOGRAPH RECORDS The present invention relates to methods and compositions for renewing, resurfacing and preserving phonograph records and particularly to methods and compositions for filling scratches and mending the track of both monaural and stereo records.

It is well known that phonograph records lose their quality for tone reproduction through scratches which accidentally occur on the surface and through wear in the track by use. Many fine, irreplacable records thus become unusable and are discarded. Up to the present time, no satisfactory method or means of reconditioning these damaged or worn records has been available.

The present invention provides a method and composition for improving the surface quality of records as part of the manufacturing process, for reconditioning worn or scratched records or protecting new records against scratches and wear (by the purchaser).

Preferably the composition for reconditioning worn records has the following composition:

about two to five parts nonionic acrylic polymer about two to five parts cationic polyethylene emulsion (25 percent solids in water) about one part nonionic detergent about two parts diethylene glycol monoethyl ether water about 90 parts water The acrylic polymer which I prefer is Rho-Plex WN-80, a 40 percent emulsion of nonionic acrylic resin having a specific gravity of 1.08 at 25 C./25 C., and sold by Rohm & Haas. The preferred cationic polyethylene emulsion is AC-32O of Allied Chemicals. A typical polyethylene emulsion for this composition contains 20 percent polyethylene solids, percent amine (Geigy Amine O), 1 percent acetic acid and the balance water. As a nonionic detergent I prefer octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol, Rohm & Haas Triton X-l02 and the preferred diethylene glycol monoethyl ether is Carbitol. in preparing the composition, the nonionic detergent is diluted with the diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and mixed with about one-half of the water. The nonionic acrylic polymer is then added with slow agitation. After about 5 to minutes mixing the polyethylene emulsion and the balance of the water are added and mixing is continued for a minimum of 1 hour. The resulting solution is then filtered and stored at a temperature above 40 F. and less than about F., preferably in dark storage.

Scratches and worn grooves are corrected by brushing the composition of this invention into the grooves of the record while the record is rotating on the turntable of a record player. Excess composition is removed by means of a dampened sponge, preferably of polyurethane or cellulose. When the surface appears dry or begins to show a dull sheen, the record is rotated on the turntable at its correct playing speed and the needle lowered into the starting groove. The record is then recut through the coated area, removing cuttings as they accumulate.

For most satisfactory results the record surface should be cleaned with an antistatic record cleaner such as that described in my copending application Ser. No. 788,658 filed concurrently herewith before applying the composition of this invention.

While I have illustrated and described certain presently preferred practices and embodiments of my invention in the foregoing specification, it will be understood that this invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A method of renewing phonograph records comprising the steps of:

a. applying a composition consisting essentially of about two to five parts of an emulsion of nonionic acrylic polymer about two to five parts of a 25 percent solid cationic polyethylene emulsion, about one part nonionic detergent, about two parts diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and about parts of water to the record surface to be renewed, b. brushing the said composition onto the grooves, c. removing excess of said composition, d. permitting the composition to dry, e. rotating the record on a phonograph turntable with the needle following the original track, and f. removing any cuttings from the needle and record. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the record is cleaned with an antistatic detergent before the composition is applied.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,652,314 Dated March 28, 1972 Invent fl Charles S. Castner It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patentare hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet in the ABSTRACT, line 7, after "diethyl" insert glycol Signed and sealed this 24th day of October 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FL'ETCHER ,JR. ROBERT GOT'ISCHALK Attesting Officer 7 Commissioner of Patents FORM Po-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 I U.S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I969 0-355- 3 

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the record is cleaned with an antistatic detergent before the composition is applied. 